When Raimel Tapia made his major league debut at the end of the 2016 season, he was regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects.
Before the 2011 season, he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Colorado Rockies out of the Dominican Republic.
At the age of 17, he began his pro career with the DSL Rockies, hitting .262 in 67 games. In 2012, he was with the same squad and batted .316 in 63 games.
He made an immediate impression in the U.S where he won the batting title with the Grand Junction Rockies in the Pioneer League in 2013.
He also had 20 doubles, 6 triples, and 7 homers, as well as scoring 53 runs and driving in 47.
Before the 2014 campaign began, Baseball America ranked Raimel as the 97th best prospect in baseball, marking his first appearance on the top 100 list.
He participated in that season’s South Atlantic League with the Asheville Tourists, hitting .326/.382/.453 in 122 games.
He scored 93 runs, drove in 72, hit 9 home runs, stole 33 bases, and hit 32 doubles. His prospect ranking rose to #45 at the start of the 2015 season thanks to his outstanding overall performance.
In 131 games with the Modesto Nuts of the California League, he hit.305/.333/.467. He continued to have strong power, hitting 12 home runs, 9 triples, and 34 doubles.
He received a roster spot for the 2015 Futures Game. Following the season, he played in 37 games with the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, hitting .330.
How Many Stolen Bases Does Tapia Have?
Raimel Tapia has recorded over 50 stolen bases since the year 2016.